Table of contents: Removal ↓ Installation ↓
Note: The steering mechanism without power steering cannot be repaired and must be replaced entirely.
Removal
Remove the windshield washer reservoir.
Raise the front of the car.
Loosen the bolts securing the steering rods to the steering gear housing and move the rods away from the steering gear housing bracket.
On vehicles with mechanical steering, remove the steering shock absorber mounting bolt from the rack.
Loosen the steering shaft clamp bolt and disconnect the steering shaft from the drive pinion shaft.
Loosen the right and left steering gear housing mounting bolts.
Remove the front shield seal.
On vehicles with power steering:
- drain the oil from the power steering reservoir;
- disconnect the power steering lines.
Remove the steering gear through the hole in the arch above the right wheel, without affecting the front axle in any way.
Installation
Note: Replace the self-locking nuts and copper O-rings whenever the steering gear is removed.
The steering gear is installed in the reverse order of removal, taking into account the following:
- pay attention to the correct installation of the steering gear mounting bracket: on left-hand drive vehicles, the mounting hole should be directed to the left, on right-hand drive vehicles, to the right;
- replace the lock washers of the steering rod mounting bolts, bend the tabs of the washers after lowering the car to the floor;
- adjust the gap "a" (see photo) between the steering wheel hub and the steering column switch housing, which should be 3 mm, then tighten the mounting clamp screw;
- on vehicles with power steering, reconnect the hydraulic system lines to their original locations;
- after installing the steering gear, check and, if necessary, adjust the front wheel alignment.
There should be a gap "a" of 3 mm between the steering wheel and the steering column switch cover